Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Pasquale Fabrizio

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure and honor of meeting the famous shoe designer and master cobbler, Pasqaule Fabrizio. Pasquale Shoe Repair is known in L.A as the only place to go when it comes to
repairing any kind of shoe (or handbag) that is worth saving! Meaning...the focus is
on designer accessories. His workshop is praised by the top fashion
magazines and style experts as “the best shoe repair in the world.” This
special location is different than other shoe repair shops, not only in the
expertise of Pasquale, but the space itself also includes a retail
boutique that opened this past year, along with an upstairs design studio.

I work directly with our Footwear Design Program at FIDM, and was excited to meet Pasquale (through a mutual friend we have) and discuss possibilities of partnering with FIDM in the future...he has so much knowledge to offer in the world of shoes!

"Pasquale learned the fine art of cobbling through his family business.
For nearly fifty years they have built their reputation by making shoes
for Hollywood legends, including Cary Grant, Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra.
Pasquale has continued the family tradition with a perfectionist’s
vision and an unsurpassed knowledge of shoe architecture. Today,
Madonna, Christina Aguilera, Sarah Jessica Parker, Angelina Jolie and Mick Jagger trust him with their best shoes."

Pasquale has not only designed his own beautiful Italian handcrafted line label Pasquale, but has also gained extreme recognition for being 'the' recommended partner in repairing/refurbishing all products by Christian Louboutin. He is also quite famous for designing the worlds first wearable glass shoe: Q by Pasquale. The limited edition of glass shoes are 100% handcrafted in Italy.

Here are snapshots of my tour from the lovely Pasquale himself! He is such a bright, talented and friendly person to be around it's no wonder why people are drawn to keep coming back (aside from the service of course!). I was overwhelmed with the detail and information he had to offer...

(Above/Below: Before and after Christian Louboutin repair process....pretty amazing to see how it's done!)

The retail boutique which opened last November displays the extraordinary footwear designed by Fabrizio, handmade in Italy and sold bearing the Q By Pasquale label. The boutique also features Pasquale's friend/designer Parasuco's designs which include premium Italian denim and leather. I wanted to take the leather studded jacket displayed right off the hanger and run!

...entering the actual shoe repair store where customers drop off/pick up their stuff was overstimulating! Look at all those bags..I'd say they're a bit busy :) I loved looking through all of the celebrity pictures (customers of Pasquale throughout the years) that completely cover the walls - Madonna even sent him a poster size signed and autographed picture..leave it to her to stand out!

I was also lucky to get a sneak peak of the design room where Pasquale showed me some of his own designs in the making! I loved looking at the story boards and getting a glimpse of what is to come! I was loving these bright pop of color heels below, so perfect for Summer...

What an amazing experience! I bet it was so cool to be in his shop and seeing the processes of how shoes are made and the expensive ones he fixes! I'd want to peak inside those paper bags and see what's in there. I bet there are some amazing shoes in there! Very cool! <3